Billionaire Baby Daddy: A Second Chance Romance

by Lara Swann

  “Okayy…so, c’mon, let’s think about this properly for a moment. How’ve you gotten out of it before?” He tries to give me a level look, but I don’t think either of us can entirely see straight.

  I reach for the water on the table, but somehow end up with my margarita back in my hand, and take another sip of that instead.

  “They accepted the studying and work excuses for a while.” I say with a shrug. “Especially with the distraction of Maria’s pregnancy, and then Beth being at college nearby…but it’s like it occurred to them when I started med school that this shit wasn’t going to let up for years. The residency won’t be any better, and I’ll be stressed and exhausted…I think they’re afraid I’ll be past my sell-by date by then.”

  I give him a wry grin as he snorts at that.

  “So you’ve just…not been home?” He asks.

  I nod, “Not for long in the last couple of years. Between my exams and strategic planning with friends, I’ve been able to just stop by sometime over the major vacation periods so I can avoid getting ambushed. But…I can’t keep doing that - I owe them all a proper visit. And honestly, I’d like to see my niece and nephew some more too. I just wish I could avoid Mom’s attempts to help with my relationship problem.”

  “‘Relationship problem’?” He repeats

  “Mhmm.” I confirm. “I’ve been single long enough now that it’s become ‘a thing’. I swear my family thinks I’ve got some major trauma I’m not telling them about, when all I want is some time and space to pursue my own life.”

  “Are you sure you don’t have some major trauma, Caz?” Josh teases. “I can’t even remember you with a boyfriend—”

  “Yeah, I ditched my last relationship just before we met - a little over four years ago, I think.”

  “That’s a long time to be alone, girl.” He starts, but I interrupt before he can get far with it.

  “It takes a long time to become a doctor.” I counter, glaring at him. “Don’t tell me you’re going to start too.”

  “Okay, okay.” He raises his hands in an over-the-top gesture of acquiescence. “If it’s any consolation, I know plenty of guys who aren’t interested in pursuing relationships or families until their late twenties or thirties.”

  “Exactly.” I say emphatically. “Now if only I could get my family to back off as easily. I just need some time until I’m ready - without the constant commentary about how I should be living my life.”

  He nods with a small shrug. “And telling them that isn’t the answer.”

  “Ugh, if only. No, once my Mom gets something like this into her mind, she won’t back off until it’s sorted.” I say with another groan - louder this time, emphasized by the four or five margaritas fizzing through my bloodstream.

  I get a couple of looks for that - and watch with amusement as the frown from the cute guy at the bar immediately smooths into a smile as he catches a glance at me. I hold his gaze for a moment, and on a whim, smile back, letting my eyes wander over his body suggestively.

  He runs a hand through his hair and cocks his head at me, and I know if I continue that game for too much longer, he’ll be over here in a flash - regardless of Josh sitting opposite.

  “See?” I mutter as I turn my attention back to the table. “I haven’t got a problem. I could have a boyfriend if I wanted one.”

  “Must be nice to know you’re hot stuff, babe.” Josh grins at me, then stretches his arms above his head in a move deliberately designed to show off the muscled form of his chest. “From personal experience, I’d recommend taking advantage of it, though.”

  I roll my eyes at him. Josh might be priming himself to enjoy the single life, but I can think of better things to do than hook-up with a stranger in my rare free time.

  Although…

  I glance back at the dark-haired stranger by the bar, then smirk at Josh.

  “Maybe I should. I could pick up some random from a bar and take him home to meet Mom and Dad.” I laugh. “I wonder what they’d say to that.”

  “I’m not sure how many hook-ups find meeting the parents particularly attractive, Caz.” He points out sardonically. “Especially as you’ve just spent the last several hours complaining about them.”

  “Ahh, I don’t know - for a bit of hot sex, I’m sure I could find someone to play along…” I wink at him, a little giddy from the margaritas and enjoying the light-freeing feeling.

  He laughs. “Yeah, and the kind of jerk that’d get you…”

  “Oooh!” I giggle at that idea. “What better way to shut them up? Bring home a complete asshole, prove I can do the boyfriend thing and give them a reason to be relieved when they hear I’m single again!”

  Josh laughs at me - I can tell it’s at me and not with me - but I’m momentarily caught up in this idea. I reach over and push at his hand.

  “Heyy, I almost think this could work, Josh!” I exclaim. “I’d avoid the parade of dates and men, at least - no way I can get roped into that if I already have a boyfriend!”

  My voice is getting louder again, and I get another couple of looks - though this time they don’t quite smooth away. Josh nudges me back.

  “Maybe want to say that a little louder? Bring all the guys to the yard for that cunning plan, hmm?” He gives me a long-suffering smile and I wave it off dismissively.

  “C’mon, Josh. Find someone hot for a week of sex, avoiding all the awkward comments and misled guys, and then get him to break up with me - oooh, I could totally make it dramatic and act like I actually am traumatized by the whole thing afterward, too. Give them a reason to let me ignore dating for a while. Whaddaya think?” I announce proudly, gesturing wildly and nearly sending my margarita glass flying.

  He swiftly moves it further away from the table edge and takes a long sip of his own whiskey.

  “I think it’s a terrible idea.” He says with a laugh. “You do not want to take some random one-night stand home to your parents’ interrogations, even if you could find someone to agree.”

  I squint at him, trying to work out whether his alcohol-clouded conclusion is more likely to make sense than mine. Reluctantly, I admit he probably has had less to drink than me, and I’m notoriously more lightweight. Which means I can’t just dismiss his point.

  Instead, I sigh, running my hands through my hair.

  While I could probably get away with natural beauty when I entered the bar, I’m closer to the drunk slob end of the scale now.

  Won’t be catching any potential week-long boyfriends tonight then, anyway.

  “Fine.” I exhale in irritation. “I guess there’s no avoiding it.”

  Josh just looks at me for a moment, then cocks his head with a wide grin, his eyes sparkling with sudden amusement.

  “If you just want a terrible boyfriend to show off to your parents and get them to back the hell off for a while, I could play the part.” He raises his glass in my direction. “You’d get to avoid owing an asshole sex for a week, and if anyone can pull off a spectacular break-up…”

  I stare at him for a moment.

  “Seriously?!” I ask.

  I might be dazed and half-drunk, but even through all that, this is the first idea that I think might actually work.

  I hadn’t really been serious about hooking up with someone just to take them home with me…but I’d been sorely tempted.

  This, on the other hand…

  “I am an actor, Caz. Who better to do it?” He winks at me, taking on that superior expression he loves to assume when he’s got something on me and we both know it.

  It would piss me off, except I can already feel the beginnings of the relief I’ve been chasing all evening.

  “I’m not sure how much acting you’d need to play the part of an arrogant asshole…” I mutter.

  “Hey, if you’re not interested…” He says innocently, knowing I’ll cave.

  “Okay, okay.” I hold up my hands. “Really, Josh? You serious about that?”

  “Well, it’ll mean yo
u’re actually civil to me for a week, which is a plus.” His grin widens. “And you’ll owe me a favor.”

  “Done!” I say quickly, before he can change his mind.

  It’s the best thing I could’ve thought of, and I get a small thrill of excitement as we clink glasses in agreement, downing the last of our drinks.

  Even more than just the thought of having a boyfriend to stave off the incessant comments and pressure, I realize I’m happy simply that Josh will be there, a friend to support me through the week with my family.

  “So, crisis solved then? I’m pretty good, huh?” Josh asks me as we stagger out of the bar, his arm wrapped around my shoulder.

  I lean into him, partly for balance, partly for warmth and partly because he smells good. Despite the large quantities of alcohol we’ve both consumed.

  I laugh at that, actually feeling light-hearted again now. “Ohh, the crisis has just started, but at least this way you’ll be there to solve it with me. And yeah, hun, you’re the best - so long as you still agree to this when you wake up sober tomorrow morning, anyway.”

  I squeeze his waist, momentarily serious in my appreciation.

  We talk shit at each other all the time, but this…this is the sort of moment that shows you who your friends are.

  Chapter Three

  Josh

  “You brought snacks! Best fake girlfriend ever.”

  Cassie laughs at me as I lean over into the backseat and pull the bag full of goodies onto my lap, rummaging around appreciatively. The stress in her expression seems to fade just a little and I smile to myself as I see it.

  We haven’t talked about this trip much in the last month or so - I’ve had a few auditions to prepare for, and Cassie was obviously filing it under ‘solved for now, do not think about’, which was fine by me.

  But the last-minute anxious “you’re still up for this, right?” text this morning made her mental state all too clear.

  “Six hours on the road with you, I figured I’d need something to distract you from annoying the hell out of me.” She gives me an easy smile, and I raise my head from where I’d been debating between a tuna or cheese sandwich. “Do try not to finish it all in the first hour - and save something for me if you possibly can, Josh.”

  “Hey, we’ve done road trips before and got on just fine.” I object, “Remember that trip to the Grand Canyon a few years back?”

  “Mmhmm - I remember you convincing me to swing by Las Vegas on the way back. Worst. Decision. Ever. Did you never wonder why we haven’t done one since?”

  I pause for a moment, my eyes narrowing at her as I try to work out whether she might actually be serious about that. That trip was some of the most fun I’ve had in a long time.

  She laughs again at my expression, then nudges my arm. “Nah, it was great, Josh. Though I’m still not babysitting you in Las Vegas ever again.”

  “Isn’t getting stone drunk, losing all your money and falling into bed with women who only tell you they’re prostitutes afterward just part of the experience?” I ask with a grin.

  I select a cheese and ham sandwich and offering it across to Cassie.

  She waves it off. “We’ve not even gone two miles, Josh, I’ll wait a little.”

  I shrug and unwrap it for myself. “I didn’t have lunch, this is exactly what I need.”

  “You ‘ran out of time’ again?” She asks with laughing eyes. “I would’ve thought you’d prioritize food, at least - that usually ranks pretty highly for you.”

  I have a bad habit of being late to things. It’s something I’ve been trying to correct for years now - I’m pretty sure it comes from having so many projects on the go at once, and an unrelenting optimism that I can get them done quicker than I actually can. At least that’s the argument I’ve always used.

  “Yeah, Tony sent over a podcast he wanted my advice on, and then I saw a new role coming up in a B-list movie that’d be perfect for me, so I was looking into that…there are some things that even food can’t beat.” I grin at her, still excited about that opportunity. “Besides, it wouldn’t have been hard to stop off at some drive thru on the way out - though this is much better.”

  I gesture to the bag of food as she shakes her head at me. “And delay our journey before we’ve even begun? Even if I don’t really want to get there - if I’ve decided to go, I’d rather be on time.”

  “It’s LA traffic. We could probably drive through a fast food joint and come out the other side to reclaim our place in the stop-start mess.” I point out, then laugh. “I’d forgotten that you like every little stop to be planned in advance though - you’re right, we probably did annoy the hell out of each other on that trip.”

  I reach over and flick the top of her ear just to prove her right.

  I mean, when her reactions are so much fun, it shouldn’t be surprising that I enjoy provoking her.

  She pushes my hand away in irritation, giving a long-suffering sigh and rolling her eyes at me.

  “You know, that’s something you should cut out around my family. You’re meant to be sweet and affectionate, after all, not an annoying brother figure. My boyfriend wouldn’t do that.” She says pointedly.

  I laugh at the valiant attempt. “I’m doing you a favor, Cassie - doesn’t mean I’m playing some fantasy boyfriend for you or letting you pick and choose what you like about me.”

  “Such a pity.” She mutters, but she can’t quite hide the smile tugging at her lips.

  “Actually, that’s a point.” It suddenly occurs to me. “Do your family know about me already, as a friend? Please don’t tell me I’m going to have to pretend to be someone else entirely.”

  She shakes her head, sending me a sidelong glance. “No, I haven’t mentioned you at all. We don’t talk all that much and believe me…having a guy as my best friend? I’d never escape the questions.”

  I nod, not saying anything for a moment. It’s what I’d expected - and makes things easier. But for some reason hearing it out loud makes me feel a little strange.

  I haven’t mentioned you at all.

  What the hell does that mean? I try to shake it off, but it’s surprisingly hard. Which is ridiculous - I know I’m important in Cassie’s life. It doesn’t matter that she hasn’t mentioned me to the family she doesn’t even like - it’s obvious she values this friendship as much as I do.

  I get another moment of unease at that thought, knowing what I’m intending from this week.

  Playing Cassie’s boyfriend gives me the best opportunity I’ll probably ever have to show her what having one is like. And to see for myself what we’d be like together.

  Sure, I’ll piss off her family like she wants, but for her…I’ll make it real.

  And so fucking good that we won’t be talking about breaking up by the end of it.

  “You’re an actor, though, Josh. Pretending to be someone else is meant to be what you do. I thought we might go with that anyway.” Cassie continues, taking my silence as one of those lapses in conversation or lost-in-thought moments that happen easily between us.

  We’ve carried on conversations for days like that before, drifting in between topics or even not talking at all, until one of us brings the conversation back around to whatever we were in the middle of discussing.

  I raise an eyebrow in her direction, even though she’s only giving me the occasional glance. “And how long have you spent developing the persona for me to take on? Some of it depends on how well the character is written, you know. And since we’re trying to convince them of this, the more we base it in truth the better.”

  “Okay, okay. I guess you’ll be Josh, my boyfriend, then.”

  I nod and lapse into silence, partly distracted by the direction my thoughts had taken earlier, and partly by the sandwiches Cassie had made. She doesn’t really cook, but she can throw together snacks and food for lunch better than anyone I know. Probably because she pretty much survives on low-effort food.

  After we start pulling away from LA’
s traffic and get out onto the Interstate, we both relax a little and I start fiddling with the radio, settling back to enjoy the long drive.

  “Here.” She passes her phone to me, “I got a playlist ready to go.”

  I make the mistake of hooking it up without checking it first, and promptly wince as the familiar beat of the latest over-played pop songs come out of the car’s speakers.

  “Aww, c’mon Cassie…” I start.

  “What?” She shoots me another smile, honking the horn in time with a few beats. “It’s feel-good crap, Josh. And last I heard, I’m supposed to like feeling good, hmm?”

  “Yep, I’m remembering that last road trip better and better…” I mutter.

  “It’s better than the same crap only broken up with endless ads that you get on the radio.” She points out.

  “Mhmm.” I make a non-committal noise.

  “Okay, okay. You can put your screeching noise metal bands on for the second half of the journey. It’ll give you time to come up with a playlist anyway.”

  I roll my eyes at her as I reach for my phone. I am definitely taking her up on that offer. “Well, I can already see why I’m going to be breaking up with you in a week…I couldn’t listen to this all day.”

  It has the desired effect and she laughs.

  Then, after a moment of thought, she grows slightly more serious. “We should probably work that out, actually - what we’re going to break up over. How this whole thing is going to go. Plan it out.”

  I look over at her and shake my head in slight bemusement. I’d wondered when that was going to start.

  “Hah, you always do this, Cassie…can’t go anywhere without a plan.” I give her my most charming smile. “Chill. Less than an hour into our fake relationship and you already want to know what the fake ending is gonna be…how about we see where it goes, huh? Which of your oh so irritating traits ends up pissing me off the most?”

  “You’re such an ass, Josh.” She laughs again, her shoulders relaxing a little more.

  “I do try.” I smile.

  “Well, you’ve had a ton of experience breaking up with people, I’ll give you that.” She says lightly. “Though I would’ve thought you’d find it easier to act if you know the plot.”